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Dex walked into the bedroom of the presidential suite in a slim-fit Kenneth Cole tuxedo and indigo tie that night.
Sonjay turned from the mirror, hoping his reaction would be what she’d hoped.
“Wow.” His eyes hung out their sockets.
“Are you drooling?” She twirled in the clingy, lace red dress that swept the floor. “Do I look as good as you thought I would when you bought it?”
“Sonny.” He shook his head, gaping. “God, you are so beautiful.”
His smooth, velvet voice jiggled her insides. “I still don’t understand why we had to dress up if we’re just having dinner in the suite.” Her diamond, chandelier earrings tickled her neck. “You’ve had me in the dark all day. I demand you tell me what’s going on right now.”
“I can barely talk, let alone explain.” He approached her, his eyes filled with wonderment. “I dream of you every night and even in my dreams you’ve never looked so lovely.”
She smiled, his stare embarrassing her.
“I hope to make your dreams come true tonight.” He kissed her hand. “Because you make mine come true every time we’re together.”
“You always say such sweet things.”
“Close your eyes.”
She did, took his hand and followed him, her red stiletto sandals pinching her pinky toes.
He led her through twists and turns, the sweet aroma of lamb and Pinot Noir alerting her they’d made it to the dining room.
Dex stopped her. “Open your eyes.”
The walls were covered with distinguished amber wallpaper sprinkled with gold specks.
Small crystal chandeliers rained romantic, gold lightening over a luxury dining set while the window boasted a downtown view of Jackson.
Sonjay clasped her hands and raised them to her face. “I can’t get over how beautiful this place is.”
A handsome, slender black waiter with malt liquor-toned skin and dimples, held out a chair. “Ma’am.”
Sonjay giggled at Dex and sat, the soft upholstery cradling her butt.
Dex sat across from her. “Are you impressed?”
“I have no words.” Tears snuck from her eyes. “Oh.” She got the napkin and dabbed carefully to not mess up her makeup.
“Do you believe her?” Dex joked with the waiter. “I’ve put together the most romantic evening in the world and she’s crying.”
“I’m so happy.” She set the napkin on the table, shaking off the emotional tidal wave. “This is one of the sweetest things anyone’s ever done for me.”
“Even Klein?”
“Klein’s always working. He tries though.”
“Not enough.” Dex snapped his fingers and a pudgy Hispanic man with wide hips and a violin, walked through the side entrance.
He smiled at the couple and played the most enchanting melody.
Sonjay gripped her chest, overtaken by emotion. “Dex?”
“That’s Alexandro.” He rocked his head to the crooning chords. “He’s our entertainment for the evening.”
“God, Dex.” She fanned her eyes, fearing more tears.
“Goodness.” Dex shook his head at the waiter who grinned. “Now, what is it with women? They beg us to be romantic and then they spend the night crying.”
Sonjay chuckled between sniffles. “I’m sorry.”
The waiter removed the silver domes from the plates.
Juicy lamb chops sat on a mountain of grilled vegetables, drizzled with orange sauce.
“Hm.” Sonjay sniffed, the orange aroma making her dizzy. “Whoa.”
Dex leaned forward. “Are you all right?”
“Do you need something, Miss Mills?” the waiter asked.
“I’m fine.” She swallowed, focusing her vision. “I got dizzy.”
“Are you sick?” Dex asked.
“No, no.” Her forehead felt clammy. “I haven’t been getting much rest so that could be why.” She pressed the napkin to her face. “I’ll be all right.”
“Might be something you need to take seriously,” Dex said. “Have you eaten today?”
“Yeah.” She finished wiping her face. “I ate. I’m fine, Dex.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“A few weeks. Forget it. I said I’m fine.”
He sat back, watching her while pulling his lip.
She got her fork and knife. “I love lamb.”
“I know that’s why we’re having it.”
The waiter lit the candles on the table, while Alexandro played without missing a beat.
“Well, I’ll try to have good manners.” Sonjay sniffed the food again. “As delicious as this looks, I make no promises.”
Dex thrust his hand toward her. “Wait.”
“What?” she asked in mid-chew.
“I wanted to wait until after dinner but there’s no way.” He scooted his chair from the table and stood. “I could make some big, overblown speech about how you make the sun shine brighter and the sky bluer but I won’t. I could say a million times over how much I love you but I won’t.”
She swallowed, setting her the fork on the plate.
“We’re past that and you know how I feel about you.” He walked to her and took her hand. “Tonight can’t be like the other nights. I can’t spend this special moment with you and let you go home to him, no. Not until I put all my cards on the table.” He got on one knee, lifting her hand.
Oh no. Fuck no. This can’t be happening. Is he really doing this?
Dex dug inside his tuxedo jacket and took out a ring-sized box. “Sonjay Elisha Mills.”
“Oh god.” She closed her eyes, quaking with hot flashes. “Don’t. Please don’t.”
“You want this. I know you do. Sonjay, will you marry me?” He opened the box.
An oval diamond ring surrounded by baby diamonds, sparkled so bright it hurt Sonjay’s eyes.
“Will you marry me?” He slipped the ring on her finger. “I love you so much, Sonjay. Will you be my wife and let me make you happier than any man ever could?”
Instead of wrapping her arms around him like she did when Dex proposed to her in her dreams, she jumped from the table, screaming.
Alexandro jerked, the violin screeching.
“What the fuck are you doing, Dex?” She grabbed her head. “Are you crazy?”
He stood, glancing at the men. “This isn’t the reaction I anticipated.”
“Dex, Dex, Dex.” Sonjay walked in a circle, covering her eyes. “You’ve lost your mind. I can’t marry you!”
“You love me, right? Then you can damn well marry me and you will.”
She slapped her thigh. “I’m engaged to your best friend or have you forgotten?”
Alexandro and the waiter gaped.
“I hate hurting Klein but no woman’s made me happier than you have.”
“Dex, stop.” She leaned over the table, needing to hurl. “Think.”
“I’m tired of fucking thinking,” he shouted. “I’m sick of waiting for you to leave him.” He grabbed her. “I’m sick of waiting for you to be mine. I love you more than Klein ever will. My heart bleeds for you. I’d do anything for you, Sonjay. Anything.”
“Let go of me.” She pushed him. “This isn’t some fairytale, Dex. You can’t just snap your fingers and expect Klein to go away.”
“Leave his ass.” He pointed to the window. “When you get home, sit his ass down and tell him you wanna be with me.”
“I can’t hurt him like that.”
“You’re hurting me.” He clutched his chest. “I can’t keep sharing you.”
“I’m sorry.” She sat at the table, sobbing.
“Get out,” Dex ordered the men.
Alexandro and the waiter looked at each other.
“Get the fuck out!”
They hurried out the room.
“It’s over tonight, Sonjay.” Dex threw the box on the table. “You’re choosing tonight. You’re gonna stay with me or go home to Klein and never see me again. Which is it?”
Dex tossed a chair and stomped to the window.